What is Waiting Behind the DoorWhat is Waiting Behind the Door

What is Public Health?What is Public Health? Population based Population based

focus on preventative focus on preventative initiativesinitiatives

Implementing and Implementing and evaluating population evaluating population based strategies to based strategies to promote health and promote health and prevent diseaseprevent disease

Enforcing health Enforcing health related laws and related laws and regulations regulations

Challenges of Today’s Emerging Challenges of Today’s Emerging IssuesIssues

Impact by limited resources:Impact by limited resources:• A dollar only stretches so farA dollar only stretches so far

Limited awareness to emerging issues and Limited awareness to emerging issues and the target populations being affected:the target populations being affected:• Hot topic of the dayHot topic of the day

Who pays for Prevention? Who pays for Prevention? • Assessment for fallsAssessment for falls• Rx drug awareness educationRx drug awareness education• Hoarding awareness now that it is a recognized Hoarding awareness now that it is a recognized

issue thanks to Dr. Phil & Opra issue thanks to Dr. Phil & Opra

One QuestionOne Question

Does anyone know a client who has Does anyone know a client who has fallen, is a hoarder, takes more than fallen, is a hoarder, takes more than 7 prescription pills a day and is 7 prescription pills a day and is dealing with a bed bug infestation? dealing with a bed bug infestation?

What is Aging In Place?What is Aging In Place?

According to the Journal of Housing for the According to the Journal of Housing for the Elderly, it is not having to move from one’s Elderly, it is not having to move from one’s present residence in order to secure present residence in order to secure necessary support services in response to necessary support services in response to changing needs.changing needs.

The opportunity to experience and enjoy The opportunity to experience and enjoy

the core values of life long independence the core values of life long independence in your home.in your home.

Understanding and securing the resources Understanding and securing the resources available in maintaining an independent available in maintaining an independent lifestyle. lifestyle.

How Does this Relate to How Does this Relate to Independent Living?Independent Living?

Topics I will be covering today are a Topics I will be covering today are a results of collaborative initiatives results of collaborative initiatives aimed at ensuring those populations aimed at ensuring those populations in need can remain in their homes. in need can remain in their homes.

Linking people to existing services Linking people to existing services and developing a resource and developing a resource network/base for those emerging network/base for those emerging issues impacting the lives of those issues impacting the lives of those we are trying to assist.we are trying to assist.

Bed Bugs Are BackBed Bugs Are Back

Biting ArthropodsBiting Arthropods Long history of Long history of

association with association with humanshumans• Origin probably with Origin probably with

humans and bats humans and bats living in cavesliving in caves

Originally a problem Originally a problem for the wealthy for the wealthy dating back to dating back to Greece in 400 B.C.Greece in 400 B.C.

Resurgence International travel and commerce Pesticide use has changed:

Licensing Baits instead of broad

spectrum Resistance

New chemicals are baits and require that the pest EAT the bait

Habits Fast-moving Cannot fly or jump Cling tightly to

surfaces Flattened easily External parasite that

feed on blood Human preferred host Feed during the night

but are opportunistic parasites

Hiding AreasHiding Areas

Bed Bug BitesBed Bug Bites

PreventionPrevention Don’t bring infested items into the homeDon’t bring infested items into the home

Inspect clothing and baggage of travelersInspect clothing and baggage of travelers Inspect secondhand beds, bedding, and furnitureInspect secondhand beds, bedding, and furniture

Bed bugs are good hitchhikers

• No evidence that bed bugs transmit diseaseNo evidence that bed bugs transmit disease

• • Can cause irritation and the risk of secondary infectionCan cause irritation and the risk of secondary infection

• • Feed on limbs, trunk, and face – characteristic “bite line”Feed on limbs, trunk, and face – characteristic “bite line”

• • Wheals/welts similar to mosquito bites or chigger bites - Wheals/welts similar to mosquito bites or chigger bites - reaction to salivary substancesreaction to salivary substances

• • May cause restless sleep, chronic sleepMay cause restless sleep, chronic sleep deprivation, emotional stressdeprivation, emotional stress

• Cost to individualsCost to individuals

Public Health Importance

Protection Tips: Field WorkersProtection Tips: Field Workers Use separate clothes and shoes for field workUse separate clothes and shoes for field work Try not to bring personal items inside homeTry not to bring personal items inside home Shake clothes outside before entering carShake clothes outside before entering car Change clothes at work Change clothes at work Seal field clothes in clear plastic bag for Seal field clothes in clear plastic bag for

launderinglaundering Bring a portable stool with you and sit Bring a portable stool with you and sit

towards the middle of the roomtowards the middle of the room Only use a spray labeled for bed bug useOnly use a spray labeled for bed bug use

Inspection tips:Inspection tips:recognize common signsrecognize common signs

Blood stains from crushed bugsBlood stains from crushed bugs Fecal spots Fecal spots Shed skins & eggshellsShed skins & eggshells Offensive, sweet, musty odorOffensive, sweet, musty odor

Use of dogsUse of dogs

1) To reduce the number of homes, schools, public buildings, hotels, and medical buildings that could become infested with bed bugs; 2) To create and convey a consistent message; 3) To coordinate enforcement efforts; 4) To overcome public apathy, and to reduce stigma; 5) To find ways to educate the public without alarm; 6) To find sources of funding for education and outreach; 7) To reach and educate the medical community; 8) Public education and outreach, including a Task Force web site and public service announcements.

Goals: